India and Oman have extended the validity of the existing bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Military Cooperation, signed in December 2005, for a further period of five years. The documents were signed by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony and the visiting Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs of the Sultanate of Oman, His Excellency Badar bin Saud bin Harib al Busaidi here today.

Bilateral defence cooperation between India and Oman has been growing over the years. The Navies of both countries are conducting a joint exercise â€œNaseem Al Bahr off the coast of Mumbai from December 26-31, 2011. The IAF and the Royal Air Force of Oman held a joint exercise â€œEastern Bridgeâ€ at Jamnagar, Gujarat in October earlier this year.

During the delegation level talks both sides noted that bilateral defence cooperation activities have been progressing satisfactorily. The 5th meeting of the India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee was held recently in India in September, 2011.

Both the Ministers discussed important issues relating to regional and maritime security. Shri Antony noted that incidents of piracy were taking place close to the Oman coast and have also been spreading close to the Lakshadweep Islands. Both Ministers stressed the need for continued and concerted efforts of the world community to effectively address the problem.

Shri Antony conveyed that the visit of the Oman Defence Minister is an important step in continuing the dialogue on defence and security issues between the two countries.

The Indian delegation included the Defence Secretary Shri Shashikant Sharma and Chief of Integrated Staff to the Chief of Staff Committee (CISC) Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha.

New Delhi: Defence Minister AK Antony and his Omani counterpart today signed an agreement to extend bilateral military co-operation for another five years in view of growing piracy incidents inside their maritime borders.

The two countries extended the validity of existing bilateral understanding on military cooperation, which was signed in December 2005, for a further period of five years, a defence ministry spokesperson said in New Delhi.

The documents were signed by Antony and his visiting Omani counterpart Badar bin Saud bin Harib al Busaidi.

During the delegation-level talks, both sides noted that bilateral defence cooperation activities have been progressing satisfactorily.

Stating that the visit is an important step in continuing defence and security dialogues between the two countries, Antony noted that piracy incidents were taking place close to the Oman coast and have also been spreading close to the Lakshadweep Islands, the spokesperson said.

Both the ministers stressed the need for continued and concerted efforts of the global community to effectively address the problem, he added.

The 5th meeting of the India-Oman Joint Military Cooperation Committee was held recently in India in September 2011.

The Indian delegation included defence secretary Shashikant Sharma and Chief of Integrated Staff to the Chief of Staff Committee (CISC) Vice-Admiral Shekhar Sinha.

Meanwhile, Indian and Omani navies are conducting a five-day joint exercise codenamed â€˜Naseem Al Bahrâ€™ off the Mumbai coast, which will end on 31 December.

The IAF and the Royal Air Force of Oman also held a joint-exercise named Eastern Bridge at Jamnagar in Gujarat in October this year.